Sylvia Winters left Dreyerville many years ago, breaking the heart of the man she loved. He wanted children and even if she survived the cancer, children were no longer possible.

Joe Dixon is a successful businessman now. He is half and soon to be full owner of the local garage. For the most part, he has put his past and Sylvia behind him now. He is changed after three years in prison.

Teddy Winters is an eight-year-old boy who lives with his rapidly failing grandmother. Joe is his idol and Teddy works in the garage for money to buy his grandmother a clock for Christmas.

After the death of her aunt in Chicago, Sylvia makes the decision to return home to Dreyerville and face her past and the man she left behind. She owes him an apology and an explanation and hopes that he will at least not hate her. Joe spent three years in prison for killing a man in a bar fight, the end of a wild phase caused by Sylvia’s desertion, but has put that behind him. Teddy is a little boy in need of a family. Hopefully, this Christmas he will get his wish.

This is a sweet and moving story of love and forgiveness. Teddy is the center of the story and it is heartbreaking to read about his grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimers disease. She is his only family and is unable to care for him. Sylvia and Joe really have a lot to overcome, both Joe’s anger and Sylvia’s guilt. There is a very good subplot of a middle-aged couple who are trying to rekindle their marriage. The plot is very emotional but not melodramatic and the characters are very real. This is an inspiring story for the Christmas season.